Adrien hadn't moved for a week. After everyone had gone back to work, he had huddled himself against the mast, leaving the jacket behind until Nino put it back on him once he noticed. Other than that, Adrien didn't move. There was the occasional whisper "I'm nothing," whenever Nino tried to bring him food, but Adrien refused to eat.
This was almost as bad as their final tests during their third year at school. Adrien lived between the library and the practice ship, never stopping for meals, and sleeping in either of the two places. Maybe that was why Adrien was offered multiple positions in both the navy and trading companies, while Nino wasn't. Instead, Nino was working for a pirate escort, saving for his own ship.
Ladybug wasn't helping Adrien's case at all. She made a point to avoid him at all costs, but why was beyond Nino. As far as he knew, neither had met before. Maybe she had something against children cushioned by parent's luxury, as any people had where they lived.
Normadier was two weeks south east from Durkin, good for a quick trade and on peaceful terms with Neo Paris. But underneath the city, submerged in the clouds, lived a few pirate admirals and their representatives. And the people living above were none the wiser.
"Come on dude, you need to eat something," Nino sat beside Adrien, just out of view where Ladybug and Captain Andre stood near the wheel, discussing their course.
"I'm nothing," Adrien whispered, eyes glazed over from staring at the floorboards.
"You aren't nothing bro," Nino consoled, taking a bit out of his own food, making more noise than necessary to get his friend to eat.
"She said I'm nothing," came the response.
"That's just because she doesn't know you. The Adrien I know always meets a challenge. Don't let ladybug, who doesn't even know you, tell you who to be."
"Who even am I?"
"Adrien Agreste, my best friend."
Adrien looked up, a small light coming back into his eyes.
"I'll make sure nothing happens to you dude, upon my word as your best friend. We'll get you back home," Nino promised, "But first you need to eat."
Nino set the food in Adrien's lap.
"Thanks Nino."
Adrien heartily dug into the food.
"Most likely what's going to happen is you'll be placed under surveillance somewhere. I'll try to have my father vouch for you to stay with us, but it might be tricky considering we live in Normadier, so I doubt they would let you go outside," Nino rambled as Adrien finished inhaling his food. Adrien looked back to see Ladybug and Captain Andre still oblivious to him and Nino.
Ladybug had gotten the best of him before, and he wasn't about to let her do it again. He came out top of their class at the academy based on his own hard work, and he wasn't going to let her tear him down.
Adrien stood up and marched up to Ladybug.
"What do you want," Ladybug snarled, drawing Nino's attention.
"Bad idea, bad idea," Nino whimpered as he raced to his best friend's side.
"I wish to work," Adrien announced, leaving the three others in surprise, until Ladybug's laughter echoed through her mask.
"You? Please. I bet you never worked a day in your life," she scoffed.
"I was talking to the captain," Adrien firmly responded. He was certain Ladybug was scowling under her mask as she stepped back.
"Oh really monsieur, do you believe you are qualified to work on my ship," chortled Andre in mild amusement.
"I went to school with Nino. Everything he knows, I know."
"I can vouch for him sir, Adrien was the top of our class," agreed Nino, stepping up beside Adrien.
Andre nodded, stroking his chin.
"Nino."
"Yes Captain!" Nino stood at attention.
"Start the lad off with drying the deck," Andre returned to commandeering the cutter, a jolly gleam in his eyes as the boys scampered off. He would give them harder work to do later.